Every year, vocal music director Ellen Kerr picks around five students who are enthusiastic about music to go to a workshop at Wichita State University to work on the pieces to try out for District Honor Choir. This year, seniors Farrah Gilmere and Hanah Jones, junior Chloe Henderson, sophomore Makenna Beesley and freshman Brandon Doll went to Andover Central High School on Nov. 7 to try out.

“It takes a lot of effort and time to be given the opportunity to tryout for this,” said Mrs. Kerr. “I’m proud of them even if they don’t all make it.”

Gilmere, Henderson and Beesley all tried out last year. In 2014, Beesley made it into the women’s choir and Henderson made it into the mixed choir.

The music pieces for this year's tryout are “Thanks Be To God” and “Creation,” which are both in English, and “I Gondolieri,” which is in Italian. Every year, the pieces of music are fairly difficult and at least one of them is in a different language.

“This music is hard, and I don’t like the one that is in Italian,” said Doll.

Only one out of the five people that tried out made it, and that was Jones. She will perform on Dec. 5 at Wichita Northwest High School. Also, the top percentages of the sopranos, altos, tenors and basses will be able to advance on to the All-State Choir.

“I’m excited to be given the honor of performing with people that are so talented,” said Jones.